The Washington Monument is a 555-foot-tall stone edifice dedicated to the memory of America's first president. When it was finished in 1884, it was the highest structure in the world. It is now one of America's most recognized landmarks, an emblem of the national landscape, and a time-honored tribute to one of the country's most significant founding individuals. The base of the monument is approximately the same size as the statue itself.
The height of the Washington Monument is 553 feet 10 inches. It is the third-highest peak in Virginia, behind Mount Rogers (638 feet) and Mount Jackson (593 feet).
The Washington Monument is part of the National Park Service, which takes care of it along with other federal monuments and parks across the country. Although it is still open to the public, maintenance work on the monument will prevent visitors from climbing to the top of it for some time to come. A new exhibition called "Monumental: The Story of the Washington Monument" will open at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History in October 2010. This show will explore the history of the monument through photographs and documents that tell its story from its beginning in 1791 until its completion in 1884.
In March 2011, the National Park Service announced that repairs were completed to the Washington Monument. This means that visitors can once again climb to the top of this famous landmark.
The Washington Monument is one of the most photographed buildings in the world.
The monument commemorating America's first president is still the highest stone edifice and obelisk in the world. More information on the Washington Monument The Washington Monument, which is maintained by the National Park Service, is located in the center of the National Mall, between the United States Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.
The monument was built from 1854 to 1881 by various companies for $1.25 million ($20 million in today's dollars). It was designed by Thomas Jefferson who requested that his statue be placed on a tall mountain top as a tribute to God and the American people. The monument stands 447 feet high and has been called "the crowning achievement of the American landscape architect" because of its unique design based on Jefferson's instructions. The base is divided into four parts: North, South, East, and West. Each part is marked by a large, elegant pedestal with another statue or group of statues representing the arts and sciences.
Including its 287-foot-high central tower, the monument takes up about 330,000 square feet (30,000 m²) of land. It was originally painted white but now is mostly gray due to air pollution. Visitors can reach the monument by walking along the mall or riding the Metro. There are also several bus routes that run near the monument.
People come from all over the world to see the Washington Monument. In fact, it is one of the most visited monuments in America.
The Washington Monument, which is maintained by the National Park Service, is located in the center of the National Mall, between the United States Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. Constructed from 1829 to 1854, it was designed by French architect Pierre L'Enfant in the shape of a pyramid with an equestrian statue at its apex. The monument took more than 10,000 man-hours to build.
In addition to being the tallest structure in the city, the Washington Monument is also the largest stone monolith in North America. Its height exceeds that of many modern buildings and has been compared to that of a giant reaching into the sky.
The base of the monument is approximately 80 feet wide and extends for about 280 feet below street level. It was originally to be even larger, but funds ran out before it could be completed. The entire project cost $150,000 ($1.5 million in today's dollars). When it was dedicated on April 11, 1855, by President Franklin Pierce, it was the most expensive single object ever erected by the federal government at that time.
At the time of its construction, the Washington Monument was considered a revolutionary feat of engineering. It stands as an example of the innovative technology used by Americans at that time.
The Washington Monument, designed in the style of an Egyptian obelisk to evoke the timelessness of ancient civilizations, reflects the nation's awe, respect, and appreciation for its most important Founding Father. At 555 feet and 5-1/8 inches, the Washington Monument was the highest building in the world when it was finished. It remains the tallest stone structure in the world.
Construction on the monument began on April 13, 1829, and it was completed eight years later at a cost of $15,000 (about $220,000 in today's dollars). The money came from private donations and was not paid for by the federal government as many people believe today. The builder was Thomas Jefferson who ordered the monument built as a tribute to George Washington after his death.
In October 1800, just five months after he became the first president, George Washington wrote a letter to his good friend John Sullivan about a monument that should be built in Washington, D.C. "That which I would propose," said Washington, "is that a statue in bronze or marble of the greatest size possible, embodying the best features of our national character, be erected on a suitable site near the Capitol."
He went on to say that this statue should be placed "so that the rays of the sun shall shine upon it, thus preserving it against decay" and that it should be illuminated at night so that it could be seen from anywhere in the city.
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